Texans notes: Leaving on a bad note

By John McClain |
August 17, 2010

Coach Gary Kubiak wasn't happy with Tuesday's practice. There was one more session scheduled before the Texans left in the afternoon for New Orleans, where they will practice against the Saints three times before Saturday night's game at the Superdome.

"Not very good," Kubiak said . "They were pretty lazy this morning. Hopefully, they're ready to get there (New Orleans) and work, but it was not one of our better practices."

Kubiak didn't want to hear any excuses. On Monday night, the team had its annual bowling competition.

"It's never acceptable," Kubiak said about a bad practice. "We went out and had a good time as a team, but we have to come back and go to work the next morning. We didn't work very good this morning."

Practice makes perfect

This will be the third consecutive preseason in which the Texans and Saints practice against each other before their game.

"It's just competition," coach Gary Kubiak said. " It's a chance to see somebody else and compete against somebody else to get your motor going.

"We're competing against last year's best, so it's a good opportunity for us as a team."

Sharpton on the rise

Rookie linebacker Darryl Sharpton has impressed the coaches so much it's not out of the question that he could be a starter in the Texans' first game against the Colts.

The coaches have said that during Brian Cushing's four-game suspension, they will put the three best linebackers on the field. DeMeco Ryans and Zac Diles will be two of the starters.

Xavier AdibiandDanny Clark are both injured. If Sharpton plays better than anybody on the strong side, Diles could move to his former position, leaving Sharpton as the starter on the weak side.

Sharpton led the team with seven unassisted tackles in Saturday's preseason opener at Arizona. He also made a diving interception.

Okoye at his best

"He's been very good," Kubiak said. " To me, just on a consistent basis, he's a better player this year than he was last year.

"I think he's quicker. He wanted to play lighter, so we let him play lighter. He looks like a better player right now."

Daniels right on schedule

Tight end Owen Daniels, who is on the active/physically unable to perform list, has been able to do a little more each week but still hasn't been cleared to practice. The plan is to have him ready for the season opener against Indianapolis.

"He's progressing very well," coach Gary Kubiak said. "It picked up this week, and it'll pick up again next week. Do I expect to see him in the preseason? It would be the last game (Tampa Bay) if we're going to see him. He's right on schedule."

Daniels isn't likely to play against the Buccaneers because most of the starters will be rested.

IN STEP WITH:

Vonta LeachFullback
Fullback Vonta Leach has a host of nicknames.
Some teammates call him “The Hammer,” “Big Bruiser” or “Big Punisher,” but with the way training camp is going for Leach, he might have to add “Iron Horse” to his résumé.
Leach has played the role of starting and second-string fullback for the last few practices, much like last season. Last year, the team brought in Boomer Grigsby to compete with Leach, but after Grigsby was placed on the waived/injured list, Leach carried the load for the rest of the preseason.
History repeated itself this year. Rookie fullback Jack Corcoran of Rutgers, who was signed by the Texans two weeks ago, suffered a shoulder injury in Saturday’s preseason opener at Arizona.
Entering his seventh season, Leach has been solid for the Texans’ running game. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate the last two years and hopes to get over the hump and make an appearance this season.
To do that, Leach will have to continue to be an integral part of the running game and contribute to the passing game. He caught 20 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown last season and looks to build off of that success. With the variety at running back this season, Leach said he likes his chances.
“This is the best corps of running backs that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Leach said.
Until the season opens Sept. 12 against the Colts, Leach said he will focus on improving his blocking. But it doesn’t hurt that he’s a tad eager.
“I’m just ready to get it started,” Leach said. “Let’s get these preseason games out of the way and get it started.”

• Position: Defensive end.
• Height: 6-5.
• Weight: 279.
• College: Syracuse.
• Experience: Fifth season.
• Strength: Knowledgeable and agile defensive end with pass rushing capabilities.
• Weakness: Has played in just three NFL games and didn’t prove much with Jacksonville and St. Louis last season.
• Outlook: With a shortage at the position, Wyche likely will get ample snaps in the preseason and could challenge for a roster spot if a regular player suffers an injury.

BY THE NUMBERS3Super Bowl rings coach Gary Kubiak has, including two with Denver (1997-98 as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach) and one with San Francisco (1994 as quarterbacks coach).4-0
Texans’ record in the final game of the season since coach Gary Kubiak took the reins before the 2006 campaign. The team is 1-3 in season openers.55
Points by which the Texans outscored their opponents in 2009, the most of any team that didn’t make the playoffs.